Posted on 05/14/2019 11:54:54 PM PDT by lowbridge
Robert Maxwell, awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for selflessly throwing himself on an exploding German hand grenade -- saving the lives of a battalion commander and several other soldiers in World War II -- has died in Bend, Oregon. He was 98.
-snip
Maxwell and six to eight other members of his platoon were jammed in a small courtyard defending a battalion observation post in a house near Besancon, France, when the Germans launched a heavy attack.
A low wall protected them against machine-gun fire but the Germans worked their way to within 10 yards of the group and began hurling grenades, according to the Associated Press.
I could hear it fall right near my feet, Maxwell said long afterward in an interview with a local cable TV station, The New York Times reported Monday. I didnt know for sure where it was. This was between 1 and 2 in the morning. I groped to find it and throw it back, but I knew it was too late to do that. I was already crouched down, but I did have my blanket, shoved it down on my chest and dropped where I was.
The grenade explosion knocked Maxwell unconscious, tore away part of one foot and peppered his head and left arm with shrapnel, the paper reported.
One of those in the courtyard was Cyril McColl who told Collier's magazine in 1945 that, while the other soldiers were knocked off their feet, they got up without a scratch, according to the Times.
We started to pick him up and beat it, but he made us leave him and keep on fighting," McColl said. "Only when the battalion commander and his staff had moved out of the house would he let us hustle him back to an aid station.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Hope He had a good life without much discomfort from the incident- A True Hero it sounds like
Well, Old Friend, Looks like you used up your 9th life at last
Sleep in peace with your fellow warrior heroes
We will take the next watches in your memory
Rest in peace,
Robert Maxwell
A true hero.
The account of his bravery is movie stuff. Amazing American. As were so many of that generation.
One of the best books I’ve ever read, or at least the first half of was, The Greatest Generation. Amazing what those men, women and this country did.
I doubt it’s possible that it could ever happen again.
I think it was on Netflix, maybe Amazon Prime - but a whole series of shows on Medal of Honor recipients from all stages of history. Amazing stories.
The first(?) black guy to get it was severely wounded and was in the hospital for numerous gun shot wounds sustained during his heroic rescue of some guys (and capturing several Germans). One day though the hospital called his commander to report that he had escaped the hospital and gone AWOL.
“No he’s not - he’s back up here with us. Thanks for the call though.”
Ha ha ha ha ha .... Straight up, Gangsta’!!!!
This country still have plenty of men and women that will do the same thing, thank the Lord.
But, when you read about some of the things that those WW2 guys did, it’s almost unbelievable.
I will put to you, are you on Facebook? If so, check out the, OAF page. OAF stands for Operator As F*ck. It is hysterical. A few times a month, the admins will post a story about the heroics of a US service member and how they were awarded their various medals. They do it with a language that is better spoken in a locker room than at a podium during an awards ceremony, but they are hysterical.
If not on FB, find someone that is and take a look. I’d be curious to know if they did one on the soldier that you’re talking about. If they did, I’m positive they put a very comical spin on what he did. I promise you will enjoy.
I hate to see the wwii combat vets go. They were ordinary men who rose to the occasion to perform exceptional and brave exploits. We have them to thank for everything we have. It is so sad that many young people have not been made aware of their sacrifices.
Thank you to ALL vets, wwii and otherwise!
RIP! We are free because of men like him!
Thanks! I think I’ve seen a website that is similar - or it may be the same one.
There were numerous MOH award accounts from Iraq and Afghanistan that prove that this generation of Americans is not devoid of bravery, skill, and sacrifice.
Three of the four MOH recipients during the Iraq war jumped on grenades. Paul Smith organized a hasty defence against a bunch of Iraqis, while tossing grenades, firing anti-tank weapons and his personal weapons. As the others made their retreat, he died atop a damaged vehicle as he ran through three boxes of .50 caliber ammo. He killed an estimated 20 to 50 enemy, and saved almost 100 Americans.
https://history.army.mil/moh/iraq.html
+1000.
I doubt its possible that it could ever happen again.>>>>>>>>>
Thats for sure, we are accosted by a generation of leftist/socialist brainwashed youth who continuously look for government handouts rather than pursuing happiness under individual freedoms.
They are worse than spavined mules, Donks who want to weigh the country down in an ideologically , upatriotic, banckrupt morass.
We need to defeat them completely and utterly.
And President Trump is our last chance to show them the path of patriotism, courage , hard work, liberty and Divine Providence.He must win in 2020.
Kind of a cruel irony that the Greatest Generation begat the Worst Generation, only bailed out by the fact that each subsequent generation is turning out even worse than the previous.
I have nephews that fit in the age group, both veterans. So, there is hope. They both work hard and don’t expect anything to be handed to them.
But one thing I’ve noticed with the “generation of leftist/socialist brainwashed youth” is, they have been convinced they can live the life they live now, under the system that they say they want. They look to places like Cuba and Venezuela and have been convinced that they can do it better.
Socialism is great, it just hasn’t been done right, yet. They think they’ll still live in their cool, hipster neighborhoods and enjoy their craft beer at the newest axe throwing bar.
They get an education, in something useless sometimes, and are pissed that they aren’t making 6-figures, 12 months after graduating, while being able to telecommute 4 days a week, so they can go to the axe throwing bar. They don’t live in reality.
This video, sums it up, I think....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RrPqaLwgOU
Tucker Carlson has it exactly right.
I’m a fan of his. I’m overseas and can’t watch the show. Provide a link to what you’re talking about, if you can.
Sir, Rest in Peace. You were a true hero. Prayers to your family...
Rest in Peace, Robert Maxwell, you were a valiant soldier.
Thank you for your sacrifice and may God keep you in the palm of His hand forever.
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